Coarse-grained surface energies and temperature-induced anchoring transitions in nematic liquid crystals

Details Coarse-grained surface energies and temperature-induced anchoring transitions in nematic liquid crystals Coarse-grained surface energies and temperature-induced anchoring transitions in nematic liquid crystals

1999-05-06

arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/9905070v1

Phys. Rev. Lett. 82, 4859 (1999)

Physics

Condensed Matter

Soft Condensed Matter

4 pages, 4 figures. To appear in Phys. Rev. Lett

Scientific paper

10.1103/PhysRevLett.82.4859

We introduce a coarse-grained description of the surface energy of a nematic liquid crystal. The thermal fluctuations of the nematic director close to the surface renormalize at macroscopic scales the bare surface potential in a temperature-dependent way. The angular dependence of the renormalized potential is dramatically smoothed, thus explaining the success of the Rapini-Papoular form. Close to the isotropic phase, the anchoring energy is strongly suppressed and the change of its shape allows for anchoring transitions. Our theory describes quantitatively the temperature dependence of the anchoring energy and the temperature-induced anchoring transitions reported in the literature.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Coarse-grained surface energies and temperature-induced anchoring transitions in nematic liquid crystals does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Coarse-grained surface energies and temperature-induced anchoring transitions in nematic liquid crystals, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Coarse-grained surface energies and temperature-induced anchoring transitions in nematic liquid crystals will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-145589